He’s a world-renowned physician, scientist, and pioneer in positron emission tomography (PET)—Dr. Abass Alavi. Now, this nuclear medicine trailblazer is partnering with our research team at BAMF Health to further advance diagnostic imaging.
Together with the distinguished Professor of Radiology at the University of Pennsylvania, we are exploring reduction of the radiation exposure in PET/CT scans, expansion of the role of PET imaging to other diseases, and the enhancement of image interpretation with AI.
Dr. Abass Alavi’s Contributions to Nuclear Medicine
In addition to his contributions to PET technology, Dr. Alavi was the first to use 18F fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) in PET imaging. He also used FDG-PET in conjunction with computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to understand numerous diseases like cancer, infection, and dementia.
With more than 50 years of nuclear medicine experience at the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Alavi’s knowledge and expertise are unmatched. His monumental discoveries and collected work are groundbreaking and have significantly advanced the field of medicine.
Dr. Alavi is also a mentor and teacher, passing on his knowledge to the next generation of nuclear medicine experts. His focus is not only on making discoveries; he’s committed to teaching others so the field of Theranostics keeps moving forward.
“As a nuclear medicine physician who has been directly inspired by Dr. Alavi’s teachings, I stand in awe of his unwavering commitment to advancing medical knowledge and his profound influence on countless professionals in this field worldwide,” said Harshad Kulkarni, MD, Chief Medical Advisor at BAMF Health. “This collaboration embodies our shared dedication to pushing the boundaries of medical science, inspired by Dr. Alavi’s pioneering spirit and his monumental contributions to healthcare and education.”
The BAMF Health – Dr. Abass Alavi Collaboration
This collaboration is crucial. The use of PET/CT to diagnose cancer is well established, but in partnership with Dr. Alavi, we hope to use it to detect and monitor a wide range of diseases, including cardiovascular disease. Nearly 50% of the adult population in the U.S. could benefit from earlier disease identification and intervention. The combination of ultra-low dose PET/CT and AI technology would lead to earlier detection, more accurate staging, and more personalized treatment strategies.
Jens Forsberg, PhD, Grants and Research Development Lead at BAMF Health, is leading this collaborative effort and says, “Dr. Alavi’s work has had a profound and far-reaching impact on healthcare worldwide, transforming the way we understand and manage various medical conditions. We look forward to working closely with him and his team on both the current projects and the development of new ideas. Dr. Alavi is a remarkable force of nature, and our collaboration seamlessly aligns with BAMF’s objective to expedite the pace of discovery and swiftly bring forth the future of healthcare.”
The research will be conducted using BAMF Health’s uEXPLORER® total-body PET/CT. This is a first-of-its-kind 3D scanner that captures a patient’s entire body in one position. Its reduced scan time, sensitivity, and image quality give medical professionals a more precise picture of where the disease is located. Combined with our AI interpretation capabilities, we anticipate radiologists will be able to determine a more accurate diagnosis much faster.
Collaboration Also Explores Use of Ultra-Low Dose Imaging
Many studies have explored the efficacy, feasibility, and clinical utility of ultra-low dose imaging, and there is continued interest in moving this forward.
Ultra-low dose scans have benefits for both patients and nuclear medicine technologists. These types of scans can protect against the effects of cumulative radiation for patients and ensure a safer work environment for technologists. This ultimately promotes improved outcomes and enhances workplace safety.
Dr. Alavi is a long-time supporter and advocate of the work happening at BAMF Health. He has visited our global headquarters on several occasions and hopes to visit again in connection with this collaboration. We envision this being a long-term partnership that will benefit our organization and patients around the world for many years to come. Additionally, we plan to publish our findings to educate others in the field and help bring improved imaging technologies to facilities around the world.
